Penn State in the Citrus Bowl: LaVar says this defense may be better than his

Here are Frank Bodani's picks for Penn State's greatest players during his 24 years covering the team.
Frank Bodani, fbodani@ydr.com

Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) reacts after stopping a run by Rutgers running back Raheem Blackshear during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)(Photo: Julio Cortez, AP)

That's why the New Year's bowl against Kentucky is so important — despite the lack of buzz and anticipation surrounding the game site, team rankings and opponent.

This isn't a nine-game winning streak and the Rose Bowl against USC.

This isn't the iconic Fiesta Bowl with Saquon Barkley.

This is Orlando ... with three losses ... playing a basketball school.

And yet it's also so much more than that. Take it from Arrington, who sees many similarities from his own experience in a Florida bowl game 20 years ago. He led Penn State's defense the last time it played Kentucky.

Penn State head coach James Franklin poses for a photo with former Penn State great LaVar Arrington in Lasch Football building.(Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports)

Though a high school coach in California, Arrington also sees this team from the inside with regular contact to coaches, players and recruits.

He said he breaks down and studies most games from TV replays.

Twenty years ago, Arrington was coming off a breakout season as a true sophomore. Penn State was still building, particularly on defense. Its potential seemed limitless going forward with Arrington, linebacker Brandon Short, defensive end Courtney Brown and defensive back David Macklin.

It would be bolstered by young, game-changers like defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy.

Back then, Penn State was a three-loss team facing arguably the best offensive player in college football, Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch.

Arrington and the Lions' up-and-coming defense controlled the game and "beat (Couch) to death. That was a statement game for us."

"That was the most amazing bonding experience, the transition from teammates and close friends to brothers," Arrington said. "We had all committed to being great. We knew going into the following the year that (the bowl game) was setting a tone for what we planned ..."

This time, Penn State is a three-loss team facing arguably the best defensive player in college football, Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen.

And the Lions' defense, once again, is building with unprecedented young talent. Among these headliners are freshman All-America linebacker Micah Parsons and sophomore defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos.

The Lions may only lose linebacker Koa Farmer, safety Nick Scott and cornerback Amani Oruwariye from its regular rotation in 2019.

Harrisburg's Micah Parsons was far steadier than most expected as a rookie linebacker. He led the team in tackles and showcased his pursuit speed particularly in the season's second half. He may be sitting on a big bowl game against Kentucky.(Photo: Doug McSchooler, AP)

Parsons led the team in tackles as a rookie and appears on the verge of being able to take over games. His right hand man next fall may be Jesse Luketa, another 6-foot-3, 240-pound true freshman linebacker.

"He's easily ahead of where I was at that point in my career," Arrington said of Parsons. "If you watch him on film, forget about big plays, concentrate on his speed in tracking and movement to the ball.

"I think him and Jesse (Luketa) have a chance to be the best linebacker duo ever to play at the school."

Gross-Matos dominated the Big Ten in the second of half of the season and, like several other younger players on defense, should benefit from a month off after the regular season to rest, re-group and improve.

He was ninth nationally in tackles for loss with seemingly much more to come.

"I just think his upside is so high I don’t even know how to break him down," Arrington said of Gross-Matos. "It's still difficult to judge what type of player he’s going to be. He could get bigger. There's just so much connected to him. Is he more of a run stopper? Is he more of a pass rusher? Is he balanced? I don’t know yet."

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) flies following a run during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Christian Campbell (1) reacts following their win against the Washington Huskies in the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts after being dunked with a Gatorade bath following their win against the Washington Huskies in the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen and Penn State head coach James Franklin shake hands following the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions players react following their win against the Washington Huskies in the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin accepts the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Trophy following their win against the Washington Huskies in the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State head coach James Franklin walks off the field following his team's win against the Washington Huskies in the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Miles Sanders (24) celebrates winning the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tripped up by Washington Huskies defensive back Myles Bryant (5) during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Dae'Lun Darien (87) high fives the fans after winning the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Miles Sanders (24) is tripped up by Washington Huskies defensive back Myles Bryant (5) during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Miles Sanders (24) is tripped up by Washington Huskies defensive back Myles Bryant (5) during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen reacts after a play in the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin yells at his team during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2), defensive player of the game and quarterback Trace McSorley (9) offensive player of the game celebrate winning the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin accepts the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl trophy after defeating the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball for a touchdown during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks to Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Will Fries (71) during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman, Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins (3) dives for the end zone during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Mike Gesicki (88) and running back Miles Sanders (24) celebrate a touchdown during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Mike Gesicki (88) reacts after a touchdown score during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball for a touchdown during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) runs the ball during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) runs in for the touchdown while being defended by Washington Huskies defensive back Byron Murphy (1) during the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on December 30, 2017. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Penn State walks to the field prior to the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

A general view of the stadium prior to the 47th PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Washington players, coaches and family members arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington head coach Chris Petersen talks about the Fiesta Bowl after arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington players, coaches and family members arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington players, coaches and family members arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington players, coaches and family members arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington players, coaches and family members arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington's head coach Chris Petersen arrives and shakes hands with Fiesta Bowl officials at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington head coach Chris Petersen talks about the Fiesta Bowl after arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington's head coach Chris Petersen arrives and shakes hands with Fiesta Bowl officials at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington's head coach Chris Petersen arrives and shakes hands with Fiesta Bowl officials at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Washington head coach Chris Petersen talks about the Fiesta Bowl after arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor in preparation for their bowl game against Penn State on Dec. 30. Picture taken on December 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Penn State's Juwan Johnson's backup shows off a lion as he enters a tent for a Fiesta Bowl interview at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on December 23, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Mike Nealy talks about the selection of Penn State and Washington for the Fiesta Bowl at Ziegler Family Fiesta Bowl Museum on Thursday, November 30, 2017 in Chandler, Ariz. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports